Not a Baby Anymore

It's been a while since we've had a babysitter over. It's been at least 3-1/2 months, you know, before MK was born. But things changed this week, and I've had a babysitter for my kids twice this last week. First was last Saturday when R and I went to a Salt Lake Real Soccer game. It was fun--I'll post more on that later. Second was just last night when I needed to go into work for a training and get all set up for today's big return. Well, C and S love having babysitters--someone who plays and plays and indulges them in their crazy imaginations. When I told C that we were having a babysitter last Saturday, he was ecstatic--spastic is more like it. When I told him he'd have another babysitter last night, he smiled and cheered. However, not 5 minutes later, C came to me and thoughtfully asked "Is it okay if we call our babysitter a kidsitter? Because I'm not a baby anymore." So, we no longer hire babysitters--Just kidsitters.

Field Trip to the Fire Station

S's preschool had a field trip to the local Fire Station, and MK and I got to go along with him and his class. I bundled MK up in the stroller and tagged along. MK did great--didn't fuss and fell asleep near the end. Anyways, it's a pretty impressive building that was built only a couple of years ago. The kids got to go inside an ambulance as well as a firetruck. Each child could try on a firefighter's hat and coat, but S (and a few others) didn't want to do it. It was funny to see the other kids put it on and see how the coat just drowned them--it'd drape to the ground. The tour included the police station as well. We got to see where police officers take finger prints and interrogate suspects.

It was fun to be able to do this with him. I didn't get to go when C was in preschool. C's first year in preschool, he broke his collar bone the night before the field trip. His second year, I had to work.

Here is S examining the inside of a firetruck. I love that he wore his "fire beanie" for the field trip. It's black with red flames. Fitting, isn't it?

 

At the end, the EMT doing the tour handed out rulers for each kid. He prefaced this by asking the kids not to hit with them or play swords with them. He was talking to a group of 3-4 year-olds. Even as he was handing them out, kids were starting to play "star wars" and more. I got another picture near the end with S in front of a firetruck holding his ruler.

S at the Firestation

It was a fun morning. I had a great time spending time with S and being able to be a part of his preschool experience. He loves preschool and is learning so much. He surprises me with how much he learns and remembers. This year, his teachers are teaching the alphabet in sign language along with the written alphabet. The other night, we were sitting around reading scriptures and then goofing around as a family. I don't remember why, but C, S and I were raising our hands for some crazy reason I can't remember any more. All the sudden, S told me that that (us holding our hands up, fingers closed) was the letter 'B.' It took me a while to understand what he was talking about, but he was right. It was the letter 'B.' He's gone on to tell me what other letters he knows. What a fun kid!

Tagged

My sister tagged me. This is all new to me. I haven't played tag for a while, but I do feel like yelling "Tag! You're it!" and running the other direction. Oh, and then yelling over my shoulder "No tag backs!" But I don't think that is how this blog-tag is played.

Two names you go by: 1. Allison 2. Al (For my family and old-school friends it's either Ali or Aligator)

Two things you are wearing right now: 1. Jeans 2. slippers (Winter has hit Utah!)

Two things you want right now: 1. To reclaim my bedroom 2. To reclaim my body (I love you, MK, but I lost both on your count.)

Two things you did last night: 1. Watched "The Biggest Loser" and cheered the results of who got sent packing 2. Made banana bread muffins

Two things you ate today: 1. Grilled Chicken Burritos (Yum! Got the recipe from my sister. Thanks, Steph!) 2. banana bread muffins

Two favorite drinks: 1. Lemonade 2. Water

Four people I'm tagging: 1. Marilee 2. Jilene 3. Laurie 4. Melissa

Let It Snow!

We woke up yesterday to the first snowfall. The boys were very anxious to go out and play in the snow. I want it to be Spring. Sigh. It's not easy being a California transplant. We don't always acclimate well. But, they were so excited about it, opening all the blinds to be able to look outside. As soon as I opened up the garage door to load us all into the van to take C to school, both C and S rushed out to the lawn and trudged around making tracks.

S

When I got back from taking C to school, I brought MK inside and lifted the blanket that had covered her car seat to check on her and found her asleep looking like this.

MK

Don't you just love those chubby cheeks? I just had to giggle about her little hat. It reminded me of Sunday when I took her to church. She started crying in the car, but I just kept on driving. When we got the building MK was starting to squeal. C was the first to notice why she was screaming...the little headband I had put on her had slipped down and was covering her eyes. She looked like she had some sort of funky, lacy glasses on.

Well, It snowed all day yesterday. Both C and S were determined to enjoy the snow. I don't think they know how to spend an entire day inside the house, so cold or snow wasn't going to stop them from going outside. When they were frozen and done, they came inside for hot chocolate. Then they sat on the couch with blankets to watch a show and warm up.

C & S

I think C wanted to make sure the entire couch was warm as well. These 2 are such outside boys. It will be interesting how they handle the cold winter. They are used to playing outside each day, riding their scooters and finding friends to play with. It's kinda funny because all around the neighborhood, only my 2 boys are outside playing. Everyone else is inside--warm.

Halloween Fun

We had such a fun Halloween! I haven't dressed up for Halloween since I was in college and really wanted to dress up this year. I bought a long wig and hat and went as a witch. It was fun to dress up and really get in to the fun this year. I even bought 2 wigs for R to choose from--a black 'fro wig and a blond mullet wig.

The boys wanted to try on the wigs, too. Here is C with a mullet.

C

And this is S with a fro.

S

Both boys had Halloween parties at school and came home with tons of candy and toys. The boys and I (ok, mainly me) carved pumpkins during the afternoon.

S and C

And then I got to hear C ask every 5 minutes (I'm not kidding, seriously every 5 minutes) if it was time to go trick-or-treating. After dinner, we loaded up the kids and drove over to our church's parking lot where the neighborhood was holding a trunk-or-treat. It was fun to walk around and see all our neighbors and friends and all the fun costumes and decorations. R stayed at the truck with the candy and MK to pass out treats.

How did MK like her first Halloween? Well, hard to tell since she slept through the whole thing! She fell asleep about an hour before it was time to go. She slept as I changed her into her costume. She slept as I put her in her car seat. She slept as R passed out candy and kids screamed "Trick-or-Treat!" She slept as we came home. She slept as I took her out of her car seat to take a family picture. And she slept.

Lion MK

She was so cute as a little bear cub. She definitely has the cheeks for it, don't you think?
And here is the family. R looks great with his fro. S is a dragon. There I am as a witch holding a sleeping bear. And, C is there as batman on the end.

Babcock Family

And yes, once the kids came home with their candy, R was sure to look over the candy to make sure it was all ok.....and to take his "dad tax." Yum. Best tasting tax there is.